PlayStation

Square-Enix Thinks “This Generation Has Lasted Way Too Long”; Haven’t Made Worthy Game in 10 Years

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 10, 2012 | 3 comments

While talking to GamesIndustry.biz, Square-Enix Worldwide Technology Director Julien Merceron shared his thoughts on the current state of the gaming industry and his views on the current generation of consoles. While other gaming execs have voiced their desire for next generation consoles, none have done it as boldly as Mr. Merceron, who believes that the lack of next generation consoles from Sony and Microsoft this year was the biggest mistake possible from the two leading companies and “this generation has been way too long.” Of course, Mr. Merceron conveniently seems to forget that the PS2 equally lasted this long during which Square-Enix enjoyed great success.

Speaking of the PS2, it’s probably worth mentioning that Square has done everything wrong this generation by turning out two dull Final Fantasy titles which were both poorly received and has yet to pump out anything worthy of the Square title which, in the heyday, automatically meant quality with games like Final Fantasy 7-10, Xenogears, Romance Saga, Kingdom Hearts, and more. Instead, Square has continued to purchase smaller companies and release their games like Deus Ex: Human Revolution and the yet-to-be-released Tomb Raider and Hitman: Absolution. After the jump, the full statement from Square.

Speculation: Sony to Announce “Super Slim” PS3 at Gamescom

by Jan Hutchings | Jul 7, 2012 | 5 comments

According to Eurogamer, Sony may announce a new, super-slim PlayStation 3 system at Gamescom in August.

According to a recent FCC filing, it looks like a new PS3 model (PS3 4000 Series) is coming and is an update to the existing Slim PS3 (PS3 3000 Series). Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a lot of information about it including dimensions, HDD size, or new features so we’ll have to wait until Gamescom to find out more about this new super-slim PS3 console.

This new, slimmer PS3 is most likely a lot cheaper for Sony to produce given that components are now much cheaper to make. Though from a retail and casual perspective, a new SKU could potentially confuse people. Is it a brand-new console? What was taken out tomake it cheaper?

On the other hand, if this newer, slimmer, PS3 is announced with a price of $199, then Sony’s got themselves a serious contender against Microsoft’s 4GB Xbox 360 Slim starter machine. That would help position the PS3 as an affordable gaming system for casual gamers.

Discuss:

Any thoughts or speculation about this new super slim PS3 console?

Playstation Store Update: (07-03-2012)

by Chris Quibol | Jul 4, 2012 | 0 comments

In this week’s Playstation Store update, we have three amazing new additions to your “instant game collection,” along with the usual flood of updates, sales, demos, and full game releases. Online first person shooter Gotham City Imposters, PSN title Renegade Ops, and the highly regarded Pac-Man Championship Edition DX are all available for free download for Playstation Plus members.

If you don’t have a Plus membership, you can download a ton of full games from the PSN storefront, including the well-reviewed third person shooter Spec Ops: The Line and Sega’s Sonic Generations. And if you’re low on funds this week, check out the demos for Bellator MMA Onslaught and Summer Stars 2012.

Check out the entire Playstation Store update after the jump.

Catherine And Other Atlus PS3/PSP Games Half Off This Month

by Jan Hutchings | Jul 4, 2012 | 1 comment

Just in time to celebrate US and Canada’s Independence Days, Atlus PS3 and PSP games are half off this month. The sale, nicknamed HOJAEFJAAM or “Half Off Just About Everything For Just About A Month,” will be 50% off until July 31st and includes Atlus hits such as Catherine, Persona 3 Portable, and Trine 2.

The Atlus “HOJAEFJAAM” Sale Includes:

PlayStation 3 Games

Catherine – $19.99 (originally $39.99)
Cursed Crusade – $14.99 (originally $29.99)
Droplitz – $4.99 (originally $9.99)
Rock Of Ages – $4.99 (originally $9.99)
Trine 2 – $7.49 (originally $14.99)

PlayStation Portable Games

Class of Heroes – $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Crimson Gem Saga – $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Hexyz Force – $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble – $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Knights in the Nightmare – $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Riviera: The Promised Land – $4.99 (originally $9.99)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona – $9.99 (originally $19.99)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin – $14.99 (originally $29.99)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable – $9.99 (originally $19.99)
Yggdra Union – $4.99 (originally $9.99)

Players can purchase and download the games through the PlayStation Store on the PlayStation 3, PS Vita and PSP.

The Atlus “HOJAEFJAAM” PSN Sale ends on July 31st.

Sony Acquires Gaikai, Prepares for Cloud Gaming

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 2, 2012 | 1 comment

After rumors of a potential purchase of Gaikai, a web browser based online gaming service which offers games like Mass Affect 3 and Crysis 2, Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) has announced a definitive agreement to purchase Gaikai for a cool $380 million. Sony hopes that through the acquisition, the gaming giant will be establish a new cloud based gaming service. Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said:

“By combining Gaikai’s resources including its technological strength and engineering talent with SCE’s extensive game platform knowledge and experience, SCE will provide users with unparalleled cloud entertainment experiences,”

He went on:

“SCE will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to instantly enjoy a broad array of content ranging from immersive core games with rich graphics to casual content anytime, anywhere on a variety of internet-connected devices.”

Anime On The Go – Crunchyroll App Coming To PS3 and Vita

by Jan Hutchings | Jun 30, 2012 | 0 comments

Note: Image is of the Boxee Crunchyroll App, but the PS3/Vita app should look pretty close to it.

Anime streaming service Crunchyroll is getting ready to launch their apps on both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita later this year. Anime fans will definitely have a blast with this new app as the hottest Japanese cartoons like Naruto, Bleach, Shugo Chara, and Blue Exorcist are made available an hour after their Japanese airtime. Asian drama fans will find the service great with access to some of the latest and greatest dramas from Japan and Korea.

So what is Crunchyroll?

Crunchyroll (or CR to its close-knit community) is a video service that gives its users access to hundreds of full-length Japanese anime, drama, movies as well as the ever-popular Korean dramas. Users will be able to watch shows from Toei, Shueisha, and other Asian distributors on-the-go, whenever they want.

The PlayStation 3 Crunchyroll app is set to launch (in US and Canada) this summer with the Vita app slated to launch later this year. As a free gift, PlayStation users will get a 30-day free trial for the service as well as access to the CR community.

Those who choose to continue their subscriptions have a number of plans to choose from:

All-Access Premium Membership: ($11.95/month)

Full access to all anime, drama, and movie selections.
Early access, no wait for new episodes.
No annoying ads
HD quality videos

Anime Premium Membership: ($6.95/month)

Payment actually goes to support the Anime industry
Watch episodes 1-hour after airing in Japan
No ads
HD quality videos

Drama Premium Membership: ($6.95/month)

Largest Asian drama selection (on PS3 and Vita anyway)
No ads
Immediate access
HD quality videos

YouTube App Now Available For PlayStation Vita

by Jan Hutchings | Jun 29, 2012 | 0 comments

Avid portable video watchers have another reason to celebrate as the much awaited YouTube app is now available for PlayStation Vita. A free download on the PSN store, the YouTube app allows Vita owners to join the largest social video sharing site in the world, and not only that, Vita owners can sign in using their Google accounts to save and comment on their favorite videos.

Let me tell you, HD videos look amazing on the PlayStation Vita’s 5″ OLED screen. Just try watching some of the latest HD game and movie trailers from Sony and you’ll be blown away by the amount of color and quality that the YouTube Vita app outputs.

PS Vita owners can watch their favorite videos through two modes; full screen view and small screen (aka the YouTube site default view). Full screen view acts like the iOS version of Youtube in which the control panels disappear after non-use. It also allows users to turn HD (720p) on and off. On the other hand, small screen view acts like the traditional YouTube site in that the main video is playing on the left hand side; with comments, suggested videos, and information displayed to the right beside it.

Understanding Wonderbook, PlayStation’s New Platform

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 28, 2012 | 0 comments

One of the surprise announcements from the 2012 Sony E3 press conference was the Wonderbook, an edition to the PlayStation 3. Utilizing the PlayStation Eye, Wonderbook is a full sized ‘digital book’ in the sense that houses no real paper or words on its page. Instead for the Wonderbook to come to life, it must utilize the PS3 and the PS Eye to read the patterns on the plastic-like book which bring the content to life on the television screen, but lets go back for a second.

To help understand the Wonderbook, we must first separate the device from its E3 showing, which utilized the PlayStation Move. Unlike the PlayStation Move, which can be seen as an accessory to the PlayStation 3 as used in games like Killzone 3 and Heavy Rain, Wonderbook is an entirely new platform that isn’t reliant on the PlayStation Move or games on the PlayStation 3. Though Wonderbook needs the PS3 and PS Eye to function, Sony is positioning the book as an entirely separate category with its own unique content so don’t expect Wonderbook: LittleBigPlanet Edition.

Wonderbook, which has been in development for over two years, is meant to rethink the book. Much like Apple’s iBooks initiative which allows for books to have multi-media and digital content, Wonderbook rethinks books for the 21st century with a more interactive flair. Sony is currently working with publishers all around the world, including J.K. Rowling, to bring their books to the new platform. Unlike the Kindle or the Nook, Wonderbook isn’t just a digital manifestation of books and instead relies on rethinking the book from the ground up. So how does it work? We’ll discuss that after the jump.

Playstation Store Update (06-26-2012)

by Chris Quibol | Jun 27, 2012 | 0 comments

If you own a Playstation 3 and haven’t played the first two games in the Uncharted series yet, you’re probably crazy, but this week’s Playstation Store update has you lunatics covered. Available for full download this week for the first time on the Playstation Store are Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, available separately or together as a savings bundle.

Two new releases also make their way to the Playstation Store, as the movie tie-in The Amazing Spider-Man and Resident Evil: Chronicles HD are both now available for download. The Amazing Spider-Man looks to recapture the magic of past Spider-Man games with a fully explorable New York City and revamped web-sling controls. The game also acts as an epilogue to the upcoming Sony Pictures film.

Resident Evil: Chronicles HD features two early games from the franchise, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles andResident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, both available on a Playstation console for the first time. These two on-rails shooters are also Playstation Move compatible and have upgraded HD graphics for there PS3 debut.

And finally, if you’re a Playstation Plus subscriber, be sure to check out all sorts of discounts for various games, including all of the aforementioned titles, Journey, Skullgirls, Madden 12, and Fifa 12.

Check out the entire Playstation Store update after the break.

PlayStation System Software Update v4.20 Will Be Outed Today (now live)

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 26, 2012 | 0 comments

All you firmware fans have something to be excited about as Sony is releasing a new PlayStation System Software Update v4.20 for the PlayStation 3 today. The firmware update specifically addresses a new feature releases in the firmware v4.10 where users could hear their own voice through the PlayStation headset, dubbed “sidetone.” While some liked this features, others were annoyed by it while others thought their system or headset was broken. The latest update now allows for “five levels for microphone audio, or turn the feature off completely.” Another benefit for owners of the Wireless Stereo Headset is an updated audio codec for the device, allowing for virtual surround sound functionality for Blu-ray or DVD movies on your PS3.

Another minor update includes how long your PS3 will be on before the system shuts itself down for [Video/TV/Music/Photo] and for [Game/Other Features].

Updates, after the jump.

Modern Warfare 3 “Content Collection 2” Now Available On PSN

by Jan Hutchings | Jun 22, 2012 | 0 comments

Great news for Modern Warfare 3 fans, Microsoft’s timed DLC exclusivity for “Content Collection 2” just expired for Xbox 360 and is now available for purchase on PSN.

Activision’s Modern Warfare 3: “Content Collection 2” comes with three multiplayer maps, two Face Off maps, and two Spec Ops missions. One thing to note is that the packed-in multiplayer maps are also playable in Survival mode.

Find out which maps are included in Content Collection 2 after the break.

PlayStation Store Shut Down in South Korea

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 21, 2012 | 0 comments

If you’re a PlayStation 3 owner in South Korea, we have some bad news for you. Thanks to a new law passed by the government there which “prevents under-18s from being asked for their names or ages for the purpose of account authentication,” Sony has been forced to close down access to the PlayStation Store from the PS3. The new “Game Industry Promotion Act” is set to go into affect on July 1st.

On the bright side, despite Sony taking the store down proactively, access to PSN like multiplayer gaming and chatting will continue to function until the PlayStation Store returns “sometime this year.” Interestingly, South Koreans can still access the store via the PSP or PS Vita. It remains to be seen if there is some loophole or exceptions that exist or Sony simply hasn’t gotten around to shutting them down yet.

PlayStation Move Support Confirmed For Okami HD On PlayStation 3

by Jan Hutchings | Jun 20, 2012 | 0 comments

Capcom recently confirmed that they will be bringing an enhanced version of the critically acclaimed Okami to the PS3 called Okami HD, and it’s coming with PlayStation Move support and other goodies.

Originally released on the PlayStation 2 back in 2006, the game was met with critical acclaim, winning multiple game of the year awards. Since it’s first release, Okami has been re-released on the Nintendo Wii and a sequel for the DS called Okamiden. Capcom has said that Okami HD will be the definitive version of the classic game.

Hit the jump for more on Capcom’s Okami HD for Playstation 3.

Playstation Store Update: (06-19-2012)

by Chris Quibol | Jun 20, 2012 | 0 comments

In this week’s Playstation Store update, we have a couple of full game downloads for gamers of every flavor. First up, we have a full game download for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, the latest in the long running third-person shooter series from Ubisoft. The game features futuristic military technology and the same tight, tactical combat you can expect from the series. Playstation Plus members can download a full game trial for free, if you’re not completely sold.

PS Vita owners can download the excellent Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes, the sequel starring not only Batman and his cast of allies and villains, but also various members of the Justice League. With 2-player support and Vita specific controls, this may be the definitive version of DC Superheroes.

And if you’re a fan of PS one classics, be sure to check out Tomba, the pink haired caveman hero. One of the most popular games from the early days of the PS one, Tomba has just the right mix of nostalgia and gameplay to make the game worth a look all these years later.

Hit the jump to check out this week’s full Playstation Store update for yourself.

Street Fighter X Tekken Vita Preview

by Jan Hutchings | Jun 18, 2012 | 15 comments

Coming Fall of 2012, Street Fighter X Tekken for the PlayStation Vita is looking like the definitive version of the game. SF X Tekken on the Vita expands on the console versions while adding a host of extra modes, characters, levels, unlockable content, and even it’s own unique “Battle Tap” touch-screen controls.

With SF X Tekken, Street Fighter and Tekken fans can now take their fight on the go. Players have the option of either playing the competitive and co-op fighter locally or with other players using 3G or Wi-Fi.

Check out our Street Fighter X Tekken Vita preview after the break.